Empowering Communities
Empowering Communities
The Community Organization Program for Empowerment Uganda (COPE-U) is a national, women-led non-governmental organization established in 2003 by five professional women. Their own lived experiences of gender inequality, social exclusion, and limited opportunity led them to create an organization that would address the structural barriers keeping women and girls from education, health services, economic opportunity, and decision-making.
For more than twenty-two years, COPE-U has worked with women, and girls other marginalized groups in urban and peri-urban communities, with a strong base in Kawempe Division and Kampala City. Its relevance extends nationally through partnerships and policy engagement.
The organization takes a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that brings together women’s economic empowerment, skilling, education, safeguarding, urban agriculture, family development, and governance and accountability.
COPE-U’s work responds to the realities of patriarchal social norms, rapid urbanization, and high levels of unemployment, poverty, and gender-based violence, all of which fall hardest on women, and girls in informal settlements.
The organization treats empowerment not as charity but as a process of strengthening agency, skills, voice, and the responsiveness of the institutions that serve communities.
YEARS OF EMPOWERMENT
A holistically empowered generation of women and girls who can claim their rights and actively participate in social and economic development.
To educate, empower, and support Women and Girls to build knowledge, skills, confience, and sustainable solutions to their life challenges.
We address the root causes of inequality by creating awareness, fostering dignity, and building capabilities. Through strategic partnerships and resource mobilization, we enable women and girls to lead the charge in their empowerment journey.
At COPE-U, our dedicated team is the backbone of our mission to empower women, and girls across Uganda. From passionate field officers to visionary leaders, each member brings unique skills, commitment, and expertise to drive meaningful change in our communities.
Ms.Valerie Kerin Nalubowa , Executive Director of COPE-U, is an educationalist with over 20 years of experience in programming, implementing, and managing education programs. She holds a Master’s in Education with a focus on Gender and Social Justice (University of York) and other qualifications in education and safeguarding. Valerie is passionate about empowering vulnerable groups to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
Valentine brings 25 years of experience in internal and external auditing, specializing in financial statements, donor-funded projects, and consultancy. With over 10 years as an Audit Senior, he has worked on various private sector and donor projects in Uganda. Proficient in accounting software like QuickBooks and Tally, he holds a Higher Diploma in Business Studies, a BSc in Accounting, and is an ACCA finalist.
Mr. Deogratius Kiryowa, an Economist with a Master’s in Economic Policy, specializes in Monitoring and Evaluation, gender equity, and policy analysis. He has vast experience in girls and women inclusion, empowerment, and system strengthening.
Ms. Nakintu Marilyn, a Business Administration graduate from Makerere Business School, is a Finance Manager at COPE-U. Passionate about finance and empowerment, she applies her skills to promote self-reliance and has trained in savings, credit, and leadership.
Valerie Kerin Nalubowa, Head of Programs at COPE-U, is a gender activist and Quantity Surveyor passionate about empowering girls. She works to create inclusive, supportive environments for marginalized individuals to thrive, driving COPE-U’s initiatives with determination and enthusiasm.
Ms. Bonita , COPE-U’s Director of Communications, is a Marketing graduate passionate about empowering women, and girls. She advocates for equal opportunities and breaking societal norms limiting girls’ potential.
Juliet, a passionate gender equality activist, has 14+ years of experience in program planning and management. She has led impactful projects recognized globally and has positively influenced many girls and women through her roles as a teacher, researcher, and program coordinator. She now aims to extend this impact at COPE-U.
